The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, has today (20 July) called for an urgent increase of COVID-19 testing for members of support staff working at hospitals overseen by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Her calls come as a recent FOI response from the North Wales Health Board revealed that fewer than five members of Estates and Ancillary staff at Llandudno District General Hospital were tested for COVID-19 in any single week between the 6 April and the 28 June. A similarly low number of Additional Clinical Services and Administrative and Clerical staff were tested sporadically, during this same period.

Most concerning is the revelation that an average of fewer than five Nursing and Midwifery Registered staff at the Llandudno Hospital were tested for COVID-19 in any seven day period between April and June, apart from the week beginning the 28 April when this number increased to eight (see chart, attached).

Commenting on the FOI figures, Janet said:

“I am deeply concerned by these testing revelations that show that our critical front-line and support staff are not accessing the COVID-19 tests they need. This testing protection was a commitment to all NHS staff, regardless of whether they work in canteen or on the wards.  

“Active testing of our healthcare staff is vital so that the Board may reduce the risk of NHS staff infecting other patients and to prevent key workers from worrying that they may unknowingly be carrying the virus. Testing is also central to restarting a hospital’s usual clinical activities such as cancer treatment and routine surgery.

“Given that 993 people have visited the minor injuries unit at the hospital in the last two months, surely it would be in the interest of the staff, as well as the community at large, to see regular testing of all front-line and support staff throughout the hospital?

“The Welsh Health Minister, Vaughan Gething MS, must immediately work with Betsi Cadwaladr to rectify the situation. Serious questions must also be answered by his administration: Why was this testing not undertaken sooner? What steps were taken to mitigate risk to support staff and care for their well-being?”

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

• Janet’s FOI to BCUHB asked: Since 16th March 2020, how many members of staff, including nursing and kitchen staff, at Llandudno District General Hospital have been tested for COVID-19 (if possible, a weekly and staff category breakdown would be most appreciated)?
• FOI Table of Data attached.